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    GORY: Two siblings, 9 and 10 killed, body parts missing in Baidoa

    GORY: Two siblings, 9 and 10 killed, body parts missing in Baidoa

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    Military grade weapons sales, prices shoot in Mogadishu amid poll uncertainty

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    Pardoned of his ‘sins’ Janan, accused of murder, torture, now Farmaajo’s hatchet man

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    Kenya warns Philippines-trained pilot planning attack

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    Opposition alliance warns MPs against Farmaajo’s term extension

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    Forces block Mogadishu roads ahead of L. House showdown

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    Mursal suspends 15 MPs after Saturday chaos

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    How Education Development Trust supported the UNICEF Somalia funded programme

    How Education Development Trust supported the UNICEF Somalia funded programme

    Farmaajo unveils unified secondary schools curriculum

    Farmaajo unveils unified secondary schools curriculum

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    UPEACE University is UN mandated and legally operates in Somalia-Africa Regional Director

    UPEACE University is UN mandated and legally operates in Somalia-Africa Regional Director

    AMISOM donates scholastic materials to Dr Qamar Primary School in Mogadishu

    AMISOM donates scholastic materials to Dr Qamar Primary School in Mogadishu

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    Somalia losses $186m to COVID-19 as exports slump by 37%-report

    Somalia losses $186m to COVID-19 as exports slump by 37%-report

    Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

    Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

    Somalia rolls out vaccines for COVID-19

    Somalia rolls out vaccines for COVID-19

    Three children starve to death in Gedo region

    Three children starve to death in Gedo region

    Somalia appeals for $1b as 4 million face starvation

    Somalia appeals for $1b as 4 million face starvation

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    Saudi government donates food aid to thousands of families in Somalia

    Saudi government donates food aid to Somalia

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    World expresses solidarity with Somalia after attack

    Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

    Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

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    NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

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    Spotify and the future of African streaming

    Spotify and the future of African streaming

    Puntland unveils new monetary policy, vacates earlier dollar restrictions

    Puntland unveils new monetary policy, vacates earlier dollar restrictions

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    Farmaajo to secretly sign oil deal with US firms-Opposition

    Lower House to vote on 2021 budget today

    Lower House to vote on 2021 budget today

    Somali govt’ cannot account for $12.3m spent in 2019-Audit report

    Somali govt’ cannot account for $12.3m spent in 2019-Audit report

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    Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

    Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

    Somalia records 17 new COVID-19 deaths

    Somalia records 17 new COVID-19 deaths

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    RELIEF: Somalia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine

    RELIEF: Somalia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine

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    #COVID19: Somalia warns of ‘dire’ situation, mulls lockdown

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    Opinion: Could Somalia become the next Texas?

    Bidders for Somali oil should hold back until a new government is formed

    The unique role of Somali PM in breaking the election impasse

    The unique role of Somali PM in breaking the election impasse

    Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

    Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

    Farmaajo opens fresh polls battle in signing unconstitutional resolution

    Somalia in post-Farmajo turbulent presidency

    Hope and fear as Somalia marks 30 years of civil war

    Hope and fear as Somalia marks 30 years of civil war

    Farmaajo opens fresh polls battle in signing unconstitutional resolution

    Farmaajo opens fresh polls battle in signing unconstitutional resolution

    Trump demands troops pull-out from Somalia

    A hasty withdrawal from Somalia

    Strengthening Youth Engagement in Agriculture towards Resilience Building in Africa Post COVID-19

    Strengthening Youth Engagement in Agriculture towards Resilience Building in Africa Post COVID-19

    Drone strike kills 2 Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle-AFRICOM

    Somalia: US must not abandon civilian victims of its air strikes after troop withdrawal

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      GORY: Two siblings, 9 and 10 killed, body parts missing in Baidoa

      GORY: Two siblings, 9 and 10 killed, body parts missing in Baidoa

      Military grade weapons sales, prices shoot in Mogadishu amid poll uncertainty

      Military grade weapons sales, prices shoot in Mogadishu amid poll uncertainty

      Pardoned of his ‘sins’ Janan, accused of murder, torture, now Farmaajo’s hatchet man

      Pardoned of his ‘sins’ Janan, accused of murder, torture, now Farmaajo’s hatchet man

      Take charge as Commander in Chief, opposition parties tell Farmaajo

      Deployment of military, intelligence for political missions hurting soldiers-opposition

      Kenya warns Philippines-trained pilot planning attack

      Kenya warns Philippines-trained pilot planning attack

    • Parliament
      Opposition alliance warns MPs against Farmaajo’s term extension

      Opposition alliance warns MPs against Farmaajo’s term extension

      Forces block Mogadishu roads ahead of L. House showdown

      Forces block Mogadishu roads ahead of L. House showdown

      L. House suffers second quorum hitch after re-opening

      Mursal defers House sitting amid fears over Farmaajo vote

      Mursal suspends 15 MPs after Saturday chaos

      Mursal suspends 15 MPs after Saturday chaos

      #MOGADISHUTALKS: Farmaajo, FMS leaders differ on voter numbers, role of NIEC

      Federal Parliament to endorse new electoral model in joint session

    • Education
      How Education Development Trust supported the UNICEF Somalia funded programme

      How Education Development Trust supported the UNICEF Somalia funded programme

      Farmaajo unveils unified secondary schools curriculum

      Farmaajo unveils unified secondary schools curriculum

      President Farmaajo unveils 1 million primary school books

      Somalia to reopen schools Saturday

      UPEACE University is UN mandated and legally operates in Somalia-Africa Regional Director

      UPEACE University is UN mandated and legally operates in Somalia-Africa Regional Director

      AMISOM donates scholastic materials to Dr Qamar Primary School in Mogadishu

      AMISOM donates scholastic materials to Dr Qamar Primary School in Mogadishu

    • Humanitarian Affairs
      Somalia losses $186m to COVID-19 as exports slump by 37%-report

      Somalia losses $186m to COVID-19 as exports slump by 37%-report

      Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

      Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

      Somalia rolls out vaccines for COVID-19

      Somalia rolls out vaccines for COVID-19

      Three children starve to death in Gedo region

      Three children starve to death in Gedo region

      Somalia appeals for $1b as 4 million face starvation

      Somalia appeals for $1b as 4 million face starvation

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      Saudi government donates food aid to thousands of families in Somalia

      Saudi government donates food aid to Somalia

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      World expresses solidarity with Somalia after attack

      Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

      Somali soldiers allegedly tortured former MP

      NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

      NUSOJ impasse deepens as ILO recognises Farouk as Secretary General

    • Business
      Spotify and the future of African streaming

      Spotify and the future of African streaming

      Puntland unveils new monetary policy, vacates earlier dollar restrictions

      Puntland unveils new monetary policy, vacates earlier dollar restrictions

      Farmaajo to secretly sign oil deal with US firms-Opposition

      Farmaajo to secretly sign oil deal with US firms-Opposition

      Lower House to vote on 2021 budget today

      Lower House to vote on 2021 budget today

      Somali govt’ cannot account for $12.3m spent in 2019-Audit report

      Somali govt’ cannot account for $12.3m spent in 2019-Audit report

    • Science & Tech
      Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

      Somalia successfully stops spread of type 3 polio strain-WHO

      Somalia records 17 new COVID-19 deaths

      Somalia records 17 new COVID-19 deaths

      RELIEF: Somalia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine

      We’re ready to roll out COVID-19 vaccination-Health Minister

      RELIEF: Somalia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine

      RELIEF: Somalia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccine

      #COVID19: Somalia warns of ‘dire’ situation, mulls lockdown

      #COVID19: Somalia warns of ‘dire’ situation, mulls lockdown

    • Opinion
      Opinion: Could Somalia become the next Texas?

      Bidders for Somali oil should hold back until a new government is formed

      The unique role of Somali PM in breaking the election impasse

      The unique role of Somali PM in breaking the election impasse

      Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

      Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

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      Hope and fear as Somalia marks 30 years of civil war

      Farmaajo opens fresh polls battle in signing unconstitutional resolution

      Farmaajo opens fresh polls battle in signing unconstitutional resolution

      Trump demands troops pull-out from Somalia

      A hasty withdrawal from Somalia

      Strengthening Youth Engagement in Agriculture towards Resilience Building in Africa Post COVID-19

      Strengthening Youth Engagement in Agriculture towards Resilience Building in Africa Post COVID-19

      Drone strike kills 2 Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle-AFRICOM

      Somalia: US must not abandon civilian victims of its air strikes after troop withdrawal

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      Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

      March 1, 2021
      in Opinion, OPINION
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      Hope versus despair in Somalia – the internationally imposed ethnic ‘solution’ has failed dismally

      A soldier belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia monitors traffic along a street during an operation aimed at improving security in Mogadishu. (Photo: EPA / TOBIN JONES)

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      By Prof.  Abdi Ismail Samatar

      The supposed solution to more than three decades of civil war in Somalia is a tribal-based political scheme sanctioned by the African Union, the international community and the dominant Somali elite. The fundamental political effect of these divisions means that Somalia belongs to Somalis, but Somalis are political strangers to each other.

      Somalia became Africa’s first failed post-colonial state, but it had a glorious history before this calamity. It had the reputation of running the most democratic elections and the first democratic transfer of power on the continent, while much of the continent was mired in dictatorships and suffered under bloody military coups.

      This glorious history is little known. What most people remember is the chaos of the past 30 years and the most retrograde sectarian politics in Africa today. Will the Somali people rise from the ashes?

      Morphology of the disaster

      In 2006, after a decade and half of a cruel civil war, the Union of Islamic Courts (UICs), a homegrown alliance of religious leaders, terminated 15 years of warlords’ terror and tyranny. A United States-led international community reversed this local initiative and empowered a government yet again dominated by warlords. The USA and its allies have spent billions of dollars since 2008, when the USA listed Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organisation. In addition, they endorsed a tribal-based federal system advanced by the sectarian factions of the Somali political elite. This political cocktail produced a context wherein violence has become part of the population’s daily life experience under the shadow of a thoroughly corrupt and hopelessly inept government that pretends to govern.

      In Somalia, the African Union Force (Amisom), which is financed by the USA and the European Union, has formally pushed Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu and other major cities but has failed to defeat the terrorist organisation. As a result, Al-Shabaab, which has about 5,000 combatants, controls the vast majority of the rural areas and efficiently collects ransom (taxes) from all businesses, most notably in the capital city.

      Amisom’s conventional military strategy has failed to defeat Al-Shabaab, and the international community’s disorganised effort to rebuild unified and integrated Somali defence and police forces undergird Al-Shabaab’s resilience. Such a rudderless security strategy has accompanied Africa’s most sectarian political scheme to reconstruct government organs.

      The international community, including the African Union, has championed a political scheme that segregates Somalis into exclusive tribal units in all political and public life spheres. For instance, the country is divided into tribal regions, and parliamentary representation, ministerial appointments, employment in civil and security services and the judiciary are all based on tribal identity.

      Such reinvention of colonial and apartheid-like political order has created superficial and short-term stability in pockets of the country but at the cost of countrywide security and economic and social progress.

      Thus, each region is the preserve of a particular ethnic group, and each government department is the fiefdom of a specific tribe. The fundamental political effect of these divisions has been that Somalis cohabit the same national territory but lack a common civic agenda that can guide rebuilding their country and would offer their people a dignified life and livelihood.

      This tribal-based political scheme sanctioned by the African Union, the international community, and the dominant Somali elite, means that Somalia belongs to Somalis, but Somalis are political strangers to each other.

      The current order is an amalgam of two contradictory systems, a public sector that is supposed to be inclusive and democratic, and exclusive tribal-based politics. This mixture has produced a dysfunctional order inept in all of its operations except in looting whatever little public resources the country has and alienating Somalis from each other. As such, the political and security order which the AU, EU, USA, Turkey and others have been investing in, has produced marginal benefits for the population, failed to defeat Al-Shabaab, and reified a divisive ethnic political formula. This is the morphology of the Somali disaster.

      The hope

      All major political and military actors (Somali, AU, EU, USA and others) ignore one fundamental and simple fact: the views and the hopes of ordinary Somalis who have suffered the enormous indignities of failed politics and policies for the past 35 years. The majority of the population have consistently rejected political tribalism as they clearly recognise that such politics and policies are the root causes of their privations.

      Over 70% of the Somali people are under 30 years of age, and it is this group that has the most significant stake in the political outcome of the country but who have had no say in redesigning the country’s reconstruction strategy. They are eager to jettison political tribalism and rediscover the golden roots of Africa’s first democrats.

      However, the UN and AU sanctioned political transition, which is imminent, will mimic past disasters. Thus, the African Union has a fleeting opportunity at this eleventh hour to honour its motto of “African solutions for African problems” by challenging the so-called international community and their sectarian Somali allies.

      Rather than peddling the EU and American agenda, the AU, if it has any moral fibre left in its being, must insist that conflating ethnic and political identity is disastrous not only for Somalia but anywhere on the continent. Such a stance will inspire young Somalis and their generation on the continent to aspire differently and nurture a broader and deeper common future.

      Young Somalis are ready for the challenge, but is the AU?

      Abdi Ismail Samatar is Research Fellow at the University of Pretoria and a Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota. He is currently in Mogadishu.

      This article originally appeared in the Daily Maverick 

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